(Golden, BC) – It took just a few weeks to fill the classroom and local leaders – and leaders in training – have stepped up and sat down ready to learn.

Golden Community Resources Society (GCRS) has been working since last fall to bring Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Community Economic Course (CED) to Golden. A few years ago, GCRS Consultant, Ryan Watmough, took the course in High River and saw the benefits that could be realized by bringing the course to Golden. In 2012, GCRS set a target of enrolling eight local residents. With two week to go, there are 14 locals registered – thanks in large part to the generous bursary support provided by the Golden & District Community Foundation.

Golden will be hosting the first three courses of SFU’s CED certificate in a weeklong intensive summer studies from June 3-7. The three courses will include: Sustainability of People, Planet and Places, Locanomics: Introduction to Local Living Economies and Emerging Economic Theories & Practices.

CED is a community-centered process that blends social and economic development to promote the economic, social, cultural and ecological well being of communities.  CED encourages using local resources to create economic opportunities, and at the same time, improve social conditions in a sustainable way. Course instructors are experts in their particular field and will be coming from Vancouver and California.

Mr. Watmough is very excited about the strong local turnout. “At the end of the week, we will have 15 local leaders and supporters speaking the same CED language. They can take this knowledge back to their jobs and volunteer organizations and apply it individually or together for the entire community’s benefit.“

The classroom session will be rounded out by other student professionals coming from across southern BC, some starting the course and other finishing off their last of the eight credits required for the full CED certificate program.

Regional participants have been encouraged to attend through a ‘non profit organization’ rate offered by some local accommodators.  This is a win-win that helps bolster course attendance and provides some long stay room nights for local accommodators.

And when they are not in lecturers or studying or sleeping, participants will have the chance to attend some great local activities, from mountain biking to rafting to simply sightseeing.

“There is always something new being created or improved by local organizations and businesses,” explained Mr. Watmough. “The evenings after the classroom sessions will be a great opportunity for regional visitors to be introduced to some of Golden’s highlights and learn from these tourism operators. And when they go back home, they’ll share with their colleagues what a great host Golden was.”

Any stragglers interested in learning more about the program is encouraged to review the SFU CED website and those interested in registering should contact Ryan Watmough at [email protected] ASAP.

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For more information contact:
Ryan Watmough MBA, Consultant
Golden Community Resources Society
250-344-8610
[email protected]

It’s official!  Thanks to Golden Community Resources Society (GCRS) and support from the Golden & District Community Foundation (GDCF), Simon Fraser University’s Community Economic Development (CED) certificate course is coming to Golden in early June.

Golden will be hosting the first three courses of SFU’s CED certificate in a weeklong intensive summer studies. The three courses will include: Sustainability of People, Planet and Places, Loconomics: Introduction to Local Living Economies and Emerging Economic Theories & Practices.

CED is a community-centered process that blends social and economic development to promote the economic, social, cultural and ecological well being of communities.  CED encourages using local resources to create economic opportunities, and at the same time, improve social conditions in a sustainable way. Course instructors will include SFU’s newest addition, Michael Shuman, who is an economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur and “one of the world’s leading experts on community economics and the advantages of small-scale businesses in an era of globalization.”

Connie Barlow, Executive Director of GCRS, is really excited to have to SFU come to Golden. “Our interest in bringing this course to Golden is not to inject a dozen potential economic development officers into our community.  Our goal is to educate, empower and inspire the individuals in our community who are involved in work, volunteer projects and/or initiatives that will help build a local living economy.”

Over the last few years, a few Golden residents have had to travel to outside of the area multiple times in order to get this information. Ryan Watmough, who completed the course in High River, AB over 8 months (and 8 trips) in 2010-11, believes that this bringing the course to makes it attainable for many more people.

“Between the very generous bursary opportunities provided by the Community Foundation, sponsorship from the Columbia Valley Credit Union, the non profit rates offered by local accommodators and the condensed course format, these factors all add up to improved economic development opportunities for the entire Columbia Basin and its residents,” explained Watmough.

Interest has been very high and translated into a high number of registrations. All of the $1,150 bursaries were awarded within days of the announcement, but locals and those outside of Golden & Area A still have access to some $1,000 and $800 bursaries, respectively, until they are all filled.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program is encouraged to review the SFU CED website and those interested in registering should contact Ryan Watmough at [email protected].

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For more information contact:
Ryan Watmough MBA, Consultant
Golden Community Resources Society
250-344-8610
[email protected]